Boat and breakfasts
Ever dream of spending your vacation on a boat but long for a more intimate setting than a cruise ship? Booking a stay at a bed and breakfast that’s housed on a boat is the solution to finding that perfect state of peaceful tranquility along the water. From quaint houseboats on the canals of Amsterdam to historic schooners docked off the shores of Boston and Annapolis, you’ll find everything you need for a relaxing getaway at these one-of-a-kind inns.
B&B Hotel Boat St. Katharine Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Moored ten minutes from the center of Barcelona and steps away from the calming waters of the Mediterranean, the St. Katharine offers guests a unique bed and breakfast experience with five luxury cabins, two spacious private decks, and the peaceful surroundings of the Port Forum Marina. The historic 80-foot motor yacht is air-conditioned throughout, and each cabin is equipped with king- or queen-sized bed, as well as an ensuite or private bathroom. The Starboard Cabin and the Port Side Cabin have portholes that guests can open to let in the soothing breezes from off the water. In the morning, begin with a breakfast prepared and served on the sun deck by innkeepers Cas and Irene Pijpers and soak in the sun as you watch the marina slowly come to life. Then take the dinghy out and go exploring before returning to the yacht at midday to feast on a tapas lunch highlighting the region’s specialty dishes, including Cas’ version of paella. After lunch, engage in watersports such as jet skiing and waterskiing, examine the boutiques in the nearby shopping district, or wander dreamily through the streets of Barcelona. If you don’t return to the St. Katherine in time for a decadent three-course dinner, then be sure to make it back to watch the sunset as the yachts return to the marina for the evening.
Bed and Breakfast Afloat c/o Constitution Marina, Boston, MA
Open for rentals from mid-May through mid-October, the Bed and Breakfast Afloat offers a unique fleet of seaworthy accommodations in Boston’s Constitution Marina. Stay aboard one of six different vessels, including a romantic 59-foot vintage sailboat, a 43-foot yacht with three outdoor seating areas from which to enjoy the city skyline, and a spacious 40-foot aft cabin motor yacht with outdoor seating on the bow for sunning. All the boats are comfortably outfitted and provide guests with all of the modern amenities that one would expect from a traditional hotel, including air-conditioning, access to the marina’s heated swimming pool, and whirlpool bathtubs. Wake up to the picturesque sunrise over the glistening harbor and the call of the seabirds overhead, and after spending the day exploring the city, climb into bed and let the gentle motion of the boat lull you to sleep. The marina itself is within a 15-minute walk of 150 restaurants, including those in the historic North End, a short distance from sites such as Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, and a mere water taxi ride away from the New England Aquarium. Whether you’re in Boston for business or pleasure, this bed and breakfast will provide you with everything you need for an unforgettable and relaxing stay.
Boat & Breakfast on the Pintita, Baltimore, MD
Operating from April through October out of the historic waterfront area of Fell’s Point along the north shore of Baltimore Harbor, the Pintita is a 45-foot sailing ketch with two staterooms large enough to accommodate up to four guests. Each stateroom is equipped with an individual air-conditioning unit and a private bathroom with shower, and guests have access to a laundry room if the need arises. An overnight stay on the sailboat includes a two-hour sunset sail with views of the city lights and breakfast the following morning at the home of the boat’s owner and captain, Phil Schnering. After breakfast, take time to admire the neighborhood’s period architecture and design details like the Flemish bond brick of the city’s earliest homes, the traditional row housing prominent during the eighteenth century, and the gabled roofs and meticulous grandeur of the Victorian homes of the nineteenth century. Visitors will appreciate the area’s richly varied culture, which has been heavily influenced over the years by large immigrant populations of German, Polish, and other Eastern European nationalities. Explore the multitude of quaint boutiques and antique shops, wander through the individual stalls of the municipal marketplace, and learn more about the area’s maritime past over a pint at any one of the local pubs, of which Fell’s Point has more than 120. Find your Baltimore B&B >
Dream Lover (Boat and Breakfast), Bradenton Beach, FL
Housed on a Nautical 56 sailboat, this romantic bed and breakfast docked on Anna Maria Island in Bradenton Beach Village is located between Tampa Bay to the north and Sarasota to the south. The Dream Lover has three cabins – an aft Captain’s Cabin featuring a queen-sized bed with a full private bathroom and two forward cabins featuring twin bunk beds and a shared bathroom. The cozy salon is furnished with a dining table with banquette seating, comfortable lounge chairs, and plenty of throw pillows in a French Country print. Up top, you’ll find a spacious cockpit and a wide deck perfect for reading, sunning, and watching for dolphins off in the distance. Begin your day with a tour of the harbor in the dinghy and then return to the ship for a hearty breakfast. Along with all the coffee and tea you can drink, you’ll enjoy warm croissants and homemade muffins straight from the oven, fresh fruit, and a tall stack of the signature banana rum pancakes drizzled with a buttery rum sauce and topped with sliced bananas and chopped walnuts. When you’ve had your fill, spend the rest of your day lounging or fishing on the beach or engaging in water sports such as parasailing, jet skiing, and body surfing before winding down back on the boat with wine and cheese.
Houseboat Linda, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Named in honor of owner and innkeeper Linda Luths, this charming and affordable cedar houseboat bed and breakfast is moored on a quiet canal near the heart of Amsterdam. The two light-filled bedrooms each have a full private bathroom and oversized windows looking out onto the canal, and guests have access to the refrigerator, cable television, and free wireless internet. In the morning, at your leisure, enjoy a traditional Dutch breakfast of gingerbread with an assortment of sweet toppings; famous Dutch cheeses such as Gouda and Edam; and a wide variety of cold cuts. After fueling yourself for a full day of sightseeing, head out and explore the collection of artwork at the Van Gogh Museum, people-watch on the Dam (the city’s main square), or explore the nearby antique shops and smaller art galleries, all of which are within a quick walk or short tram ride from the houseboat. You’ll also be close to a handful of restaurants, from casual cafes to fine dining establishments. Find your Amsterdam B&B >
Houseboat on Seine, Paris Levallois, France
Located in the Lavallois region in the outskirts of Paris, this houseboat is a 10-20-minute metro ride away from city’s most popular attractions, including the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower, making it the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the French capital. The boat has three comfortable cabins plus a spacious living room that can be converted into a bedroom if you need extra sleeping space. The cabins themselves are individually decorated in cheerful shades of coral, yellow, and lavender and feature double beds and windows overlooking the peaceful waters of the Seine and the Île de la Jatte, a long and narrow island in the middle of the river. Breakfasts prepared by Christian, innkeeper and award-winning resident chef, are served on the terrace during the summer and by the fireside in the winter. If you’d like to stay for dinner, Christian will prepare a meal highlighting local specialties such as hearty stews or duck confit accompanied by fresh, seasonal ingredients purchased from the farmer’s market, all while sharing his love and passion for French history and French wine.
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Loftboat Visithor, Rotterdam, Netherlands
A former working ship, the Visithor is a 20-meter-long loftboat moored in the Rotterdam Harbor (right next to the Maritime Museum) that has been divided into two luxury apartments. Although the apartments have been designed to include modern amenities, the ship’s original nautical details have been lovingly preserved, keeping the boat’s character while giving guests a sense of its history. Each apartment, which can accommodate up to four guests, has its own entrance, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom, and a wood stove, as well as a private deck terrace, where you can sip on a glass of wine while watching the busy activity on the shore. Staying in the harbor means you’ll be close to several restaurants, the lively marketplace at Binnenrotte Square with its quaint shops and boutiques, and a whole host of art galleries and museums, including the Kunsthal and the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam’s main art museum. With its reputation as the architectural capital of the Netherlands, design lovers will enjoy visiting the Dutch Architecture Institute and admiring the towering buildings of the modern skyline.
Petite Reine – Leau calme, Arles, France
The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh made the city of Arles in the south of France his home in 1888-1889. Because he produced more than 300 pieces of art during his time there, including The Night Café and Starry Night over the Rhone, it is almost poetic that this houseboat is anchored at the banks of the peaceful Arles Canal, just minutes away from the famous Van Gogh Bridge, the subject of several of the artist’s paintings and drawings. The 38-meter-long barge with a riveted hull is eighty-years-old and offers two individually decorated rooms. The first room pays homage to life on a working boat with its wooden accents, while the second showcases a loft design and features a sleigh bed and brass porthole windows. Especially interesting to lovers of history and architecture, the city of Arles, the historic center of which is only a ten-minute walk from the houseboat, is the site of many important ancient Roman remains, including The Alyscamps (Roman necropolis), the Arles Obelisk, and the renowned Musée de l’Arles et de la Provence antiques, whose collection of Roman sarcophagi is one of the best collections housed outside of Rome.
Sailing Yacht Scout, Traverse City, MI
With its wooden deck built from sustainable teak in a warm shade of honey, this yacht is a classic Cabo Rico 38 XL and the perfect setting for a romantic getaway. Kick off your stay with a chartered three-hour sunset sail on the picturesque waters of Grand Traverse Bay. Once the yacht has returned to the dock in CenterPointe Marina, the sailing crew will leave you to enjoy the rest of your night, either by sipping cocktails at the nearby Harbor 22 or by retiring to your cozy double cabin to savor the stillness. In the morning, enjoy a full breakfast on board before exploring the city lovingly known as “The Cherry Capital (of the World)” due to the fact that Traverse City is the largest producer of cherries in the United States. If you’re planning a summer stay on the sailing yacht Scout, then aim for the first full week in July so you can attend the annual week-long National Cherry Festival. The Grand Traverse region is also perfect for sports enthusiasts and wine aficionados with its numerous biking and hiking trails and more than 50 wineries, most of which offer free tastings.
Schooner Liberty Clipper, Boston, MA
If you’ve always wondered what it would be like to be a crewmember on board a historic tall ship, then consider booking an overnight stay aboard the Liberty Clipper, a 125-foot replica of John Hancock’s ship that offers cruises around Boston, as well as modern amenities and conveniences for bed and breakfast guests looking for a truly unique experience. Since the Liberty Clipper is a working ship, the regular crewmembers live on board and are more than willing to sit up on deck with you late into the evening to share stories about their adventures at sea. The pine-paneled cabins are naturally on the smaller side, but each cabin has a comfortable bed, a private sink with a vanity (the bathrooms are shared), and a ceiling fan to help ease the effects of the humidity of a Boston summer. In the morning, enjoy a continental breakfast with hot coffee, bagels with various spreads, and seasonal fresh fruit. After you’ve put in your time as a member of the crew, then disembark the ship and walk along the Freedom Trail, visit Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, and soak in the culture of Boston’s Little Italy and the historic North End.
Schooner Manitou, Traverse City, MI
The 114-foot Manitou is a majestic replica of a 19th-century coasting cargo schooner and the sister ship to the sailing yacht Scout (see above). An overnight stay on the Manitou will also include a sunset sail in Grand Traverse Bay on the evening of your arrival; however, you’ll only sail for two hours as opposed to three hours on the Scout. And, rather than having the sailboat all to yourself for the night, you may wind up sharing the boat with other guests who aren’t in your party, as the Manitou has accommodations for 24 guests in 12 rustic private cabins with shared bathrooms below deck. Each of the cabins is air-conditioned and furnished with two built-in, wooden, single bunks made up with fresh linens and warm blankets. On the warmer evenings, guests are invited to bring a sleeping bag and pad for sleeping under the stars up on deck. In the morning, wake up to a mug of fresh coffee and the spectacular sight of the sunrise up over Old Mission Peninsula, after which you can enjoy a hearty, homemade breakfast prepared on the ship’s wood-burning stove. Your stay aboard the Manitou will undoubtedly be an experience that you’ll never forget.
Schooner Woodwind, Annapolis, MD
The 114-foot Manitou is a majestic replica of a 19th-century coasting cargo schooner and the sister ship to the sailing yacht Scout (see above). An overnight stay on the Manitou will also include a sunset sail in Grand Traverse Bay on the evening of your arrival; however, you’ll only sail for two hours as opposed to three hours on the Scout. And, rather than having the sailboat all to yourself for the night, you may wind up sharing the boat with other guests who aren’t in your party, as the Manitou has accommodations for 24 guests in 12 rustic private cabins with shared bathrooms below deck. Each of the cabins is air-conditioned and furnished with two built-in, wooden, single bunks made up with fresh linens and warm blankets. On the warmer evenings, guests are invited to bring a sleeping bag and pad for sleeping under the stars up on deck. In the morning, wake up to a mug of fresh coffee and the spectacular sight of the sunrise up over Old Mission Peninsula, after which you can enjoy a hearty, homemade breakfast prepared on the ship’s wood-burning stove. Your stay aboard the Manitou will undoubtedly be an experience that you’ll never forget.
Sea Suites Boat & Breakfast LLC, Saugatuck, MI
This luxurious floating bed and breakfast is air-conditioned throughout and offers guests four beautifully decorated staterooms, each with a queen-sized bed, private bathroom, and ceiling fan. The spacious salon features a fireplace and a 50-inch HDTV and opens to the galley, where a deluxe continental breakfast is served each morning. Take a dip in the heated swimming pool at the marina or spend the entire day on the boat by relaxing with a book on the lounge chairs on the 105-foot sky deck or by soaking in the hot tub and watching the stars come out after sunset. While the calming atmosphere of the boat may tempt you to stay put for the entirety of your stay, you’ll inevitably be drawn to the inspiring art galleries and eclectic shops in the village of Saugatuck, as well as the view from atop Mount Baldhead and from Oval Beach on Lake Michigan. You’ll also be within easy access of four champion golf courses and the local vineyards of Michigan’s wine country.
Willowmoon Bed & Breakfast Boat, Sitges, Spain
This family-friendly bed and breakfast is moored in Port D’Aiguadolc in the picturesque town of Stiges, just a 30-minute drive away from Barcelona. Owners and innkeepers Vick and Lisa will open a bottle of Cava to toast your arrival in style before giving you the keys to the separate entrance to the private guest accommodation and allowing you to explore the spacious cabin that will become your home-away-from-home for the duration of your stay. The cabin features a built-in double bed and single bed, an ensuite bathroom, and plenty of natural light flooding in through the two skylights and four port holes. You’ll have access to the well-appointed kitchen and full use of the deck and all of its amenities, including chaise lounges, a dining table with chairs, a hammock that encourages lazy afternoon naps, and a barbecue grill. It won’t take long for you to discover that Vick and Lisa have provided you with everything you may need to make your vacation an unforgettable one, from filling the on-board library with CDs and board games, to useful travel guidebooks and foreign language phrase books, to babysitting services should you want to spend some alone-time with your loved one without having your little ones underfoot.